Mayor Eric Enriquez City of Las Cruces | City of Las Cruces
A Santa Fe, N.M., murder suspect was arrested Saturday evening in Las Cruces following an alleged armed robbery at a local fast-food restaurant and the carjacking of a Chevrolet Impala from a woman.
Zachary Ryan Babitz, 38, was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center. He is held on a warrant from Santa Fe that charges him with felony counts of murder, robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, and parole violation.
Babitz still faces several felony charges for incidents that occurred in Las Cruces. Local police are continuing their investigation into these events.
Authorities learned that Babitz was released from prison in March 2024 and has an extensive criminal history.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, Las Cruces police were informed of an armed robbery at Arby’s located at 2341 E. Lohman Ave. According to reports, a man and woman entered the restaurant where the man pointed a firearm at an employee and demanded money.
After leaving the restaurant, the couple allegedly forced a woman out of her vehicle at gunpoint at 2305 E. Lohman Ave. Shortly thereafter, the stolen vehicle crashed near Missouri Avenue and Triviz Drive.
Both suspects fled from the crash scene. Police located and detained Babitz nearby while his female accomplice remains unidentified and at large.
The woman whose car was stolen near Arby’s was not physically injured during the incident.
In Santa Fe, Babitz is wanted for the fatal shooting of 83-year-old Gordon Peter Wilson on Aug. 6, 2024. For further details on crimes Babitz is suspected of committing in Santa Fe, contact the Santa Fe Police Department.
Additionally, police discovered that the car driven by Babitz and his female accomplice to Arby’s had been reported stolen out of Albuquerque. For more information on this incident, contact the Albuquerque Police Department.
The female accomplice's name and age remain unknown as she fled from the crash site before being identified or apprehended. She was last seen on Missouri Avenue's 2400 block in Las Cruces; it appears she cut her hair to avoid recognition.
Anyone with information regarding her identity or whereabouts is urged to call police at (575) 526-0795.
